When does NPH insulin peak?
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 20, 2022.
The peak time of insulin is the time it is working the hardest to lower your blood glucose.
NPH insulin is an intermediate-acting insulin that usually starts to work (has an onset) about 1 to 3 hours after injection, peaks 4 to 12 hours later, and is effective for about 12 to 16 hours.
However, it's important to remember that the onset and duration of action of any insulin may vary individually or at different times in the same individual. Brand names of NPH insulin include Humulin N and Novolin N.
Related medical questions
- Levemir vs Lantus: What's the difference?
- What is the difference between regular insulin and lispro (Humalog)?
- Humalog vs Novolog (Novalog): What's the difference?
- Are Humulin and Humalog the same thing?
- Can Trulicity be used with insulin?
- What are the different types of insulin?
- How and where should I inject insulin?
- Toujeo vs Lantus - What's the difference between them?
- Toujeo vs Tresiba - What's the difference between them?
- Are glucagon and glycogen the same thing?
- Is Novolin the same as Humulin?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Insulin (81 questions, 218 members)
- Novolin N (7 questions, 14 members)
- Humulin N Pen (4 questions, 4 members)
- NPH Insulin (3 questions, 3 members)
- Diabetes, Type 2 (407 questions, 1,379 members)
- Diabetes, Type 1 (79 questions, 136 members)